Court Refuses to Block Teamsters Pickets at Sobeys Calgary Stores
A Calgary judge dismissed Sobeys Capital Inc.'s request to prevent striking Teamsters from picketing at the company’s stores in Calgary. The Teamsters, who work at Sobeys’ Rocky View County distribution hub and a refrigerated warehouse in southeast Calgary, continue their picketing during the strike.
Judicial Decision Details
In written reasons released in November, Justice Feasby of the Court of King’s Bench declined to halt the Alberta Labour Relations Board’s ruling. This decision permits Teamsters Local 987 to maintain picketing at Sobeys-owned locations in Calgary amid a strike and lockout affecting 251 warehouse and delivery workers.
Labour Board Ruling
The judge’s ruling refers to the Labour Board’s October 15, 2025 decision (2025 ALRB 126), which recognized the Sobeys Calgary stores as valid “places of work” for the striking and locked-out employees. This classification authorized picketing at stores owned directly by Sobeys but excluded franchised locations.
“The Calgary outlets were legitimate ‘places of work’ for the striking and locked-out employees, allowing picketing at company-owned sites but not at franchised ones.”
This ruling underscores the Labour Board's stance on the workers' rights to protest at workplace sites directly controlled by the employer.
Summary: The court upheld the Labour Board’s decision, enabling Teamsters to continue picketing Sobeys’ company-owned Calgary stores during the ongoing labour dispute involving 251 employees.